TICAD was launched in 1993 and has held a summit level meeting every five years to facilitate high-level policy dialogue between African leaders and development partners. As a co-organizer of TICAD, UNDP has been helping to set its agenda and to formulate, implement and monitor programmes in support of TICAD priority areas.

In this context, UNDP and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan have also been holding regular discussions on strategic policy-making, including consultations on assistance to Africa. In 2009, UNDP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), leading to the organization of high-level symposiums and seminars on African development and increased country-level collaboration. Under TICAD V, UNDP will continue to work with Japan in the following thematic areas: Robust and Sustainable Economy; Inclusive and Resilient Society; and Peace and Stability.